The Hindu Review of “ID”

Prayatna’s ‘ID’ (story and direction Vivekshankar), was riddled with holes. Police officer Parameswara Iyer ropes in a freelance hacker, to unravel hawala transactions and foil terrorist plans; the wrong man gets killed; the hacker seeks refuge in a village, to escape the bad men – the story stretches one’s credulity to the limits. When you are talking about hawala and terrorism, wouldn’t the engagement be at the highest level, with Ministers and perhaps even the Prime Minister being kept informed? How can a lone hacker, operating from his house deal will all this? Kalivaradan, who works in the Secretariat doesn’t know what a laptop is, and calls it a harmonium! Too much!

Narasimhan (T.D. Sundarrajan), neighbour of hacker Divakar, makes his entry every now and then, turns towards the audience and launches into a torrent of abuse. What is his role and who is he abusing? And there is Janaki, whose complete lack of sorrow, so soon after her brother’s death, is puzzling. The Panchayat Chief’s family doubts Parameswara Iyer’s credentials. So how is it that they point to their backyard, when Iyer wants to do his ablutions? And how can anyone suddenly materialise and take such liberties?

Thank God, the police officer is only an imaginary character. If he were real, we would have to be concerned about the future of our country. The play was billed as one about the dangers of the internet, with the title suggesting identity theft. But where was all the tension and pace that such a play should have? Hampered by a bad script and half-hearted performances, ‘ID’ was a complete let down.

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All About Me

I am K. Vivekshankar, a passionate Tamil Playwright providing purposeful entertainment in the Tamil Mainstream theatre since 1996.
So far written and directed 17 Stage Plays and associated with more than 10 Television Serials as Script and Screenplay Writer. I own a Theatre Group called “PRAYATNA”.
My passion for Theatre has compelled me to start this blog which will primarily strive to reach out and make people aware of the happenings in the Tamil Drama circuit. My attempts are not going to be restricted only to update news about stage shows but also to clear the misconceptions inadvertently pushed into people minds about Tamil Theater.
I look forward to your wholesome and hearty participation.
Thank you.